Irvine, Calif. (August 8, 2017) Orange County SC look to move to a more permanent home with the opening of the brand new soccer stadium at the OC Great Park. OCSC hoped to close out the temporary stadium, which housed the team in all the previous home matches, on a positive note in the midweek fixture against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. However, the team has not transitioned yet and the visitors roared in to town to spoil the evening.
Although neither team could really settle play and control possession in the early going, it was Colorado Switchbacks FC who looked the more dangerous team anytime they touched the ball. The Orange County SC defence was porous and it seemed one pass could see the attacking players through on goal. In the opening seconds of the match Colorado Switchbacks’ striker Kevaughn Frater broke through the backline and scored a goal, but was called back due to off-sides. An early indication of the intent of the Colorado front men.
Colorado Switchbacks FC jumped into the lead in the 18th minute and doubled their lead only five minutes later. Luke Vercollone blasted his volley into the top corner from 18 yards out. Charlie Lyon could not reach the strike. Colorado expanded on the lead through Shane Malcolm who from a similar position received a pass and had his touch popped up into the air. Not to be out done by Vercollone he took a volley with the outside of his foot and it slipped past the keeper’s out stretched hand into the back of the net. OCSC saw the half come to a poor close as Masta Kacher scored for the visitors. He was unmarked at the back post and had all the time to pick his spot from the cross.
OCSC began the second half with more conviction and determination to get forward and create chances. They were able to muster a flurry of shots and efforts on target. The most prominent of which came to the head of Wuilito Fernandes and the feet of Jerry Van Ewijk. Fernandes had an opportunity rising uncontested for a header at the back post and not long after Van Ewijk also had a quality chance on the quick turn and volley from the top of the box. However, both efforts were denied by Moise Pouaty.
Unable to convert any of their chances OCSC then gifted the visitors their final goal. It came off a poor defensive giveaway when an attempted clearance fell directly to Frater who found himself 1-v-1 with the keeper. Putting the game significantly out of reach.
Orange County will look to bounce back on the road when they play Saturday August 12th in Kansas City against Swope Park Rangers.
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY SOCCER CLUB:
The Orange County Soccer Club is Orange County’s Professional Soccer Team. The club was one of 12 founding members of the new United Soccer League (USL) in its inaugural 2011 season. The predecessor club Orange County Blues were the 2015 Western Conference Regular Season Champions and have reached the Western Conference Semi-finals of the USL Playoffs in back-to-back seasons. The club’s brand-new owner, James Keston, is the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, and will actively oversee all operations of the USL club in Orange County. Keston is dedicated to transforming the club into a world-class professional soccer organization that focuses on the fans, players, and youth clubs of Orange County.
For more information about Orange County Soccer Club or to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.orangecountysoccer.com.
Contact: Kelly Salmieri: VP, Marketing & Community Relations, kelly@https://www.orangecountysoccer.com, 805.844.0856